Genetic divergence of Cordyceps sinensis as estimated by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis

Random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) has been used in analyzing 13 winter worm, summer grasses (Cordyceps sinensis [Berk.], Sacc.) from 5 areas in Qingzang plateau. For 19 arbitrary primers, each individual showed about 65 RAPD markers. The genetic distances among those 13 winter worm, summer grasses were correlated to their geographic distances. Molecular phylogenetic tree constructed by UPGMA and NJ suggested that 13 winter worm, summer grasses could be divided into 3 clusters: east cluster, north cluster and middle cluster, in consistence with their origins and genetic divergence among different clusters. Furthermore, our results implied that the RAPD markers of winter worm, summer grasses showed a geographic specificity and could be a better genetic marker in studying genetic diversity and phylogeny of winter worm, summer grasses.